Process for the production of sulfur.



' UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS HALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SULFUR.

1 .osaaia.

No Drawing.

ment in Processes for the Production of Sulfur, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a process for the production of sulfur by the mutual decomposition of sulfureted hydrogen and sulfur dioxid in accordance with the well known equation 'lheoretically, when these gases are brought together in the proportions indicated by this equation, a complete reaction should take place, all the sulfur being deposited and water vapor being formed. In actual practice this reaction is not even approximately complete. Considerable amounts of thionio acids are formed, involving quite considerable losses in sulfur. To bring about an approximately complete reaction a most intimate mixing of the gases for a considerable space of time in large settling chambers is required. Various suggestions have been made for overcoming this ditliculty and for expediting the reaction. Such suggestions include the passing of the gases through solutions of certain salts such as calcium chlorid. magnesium salts, or aluminum sulfate or through a chamber in which a discharge of electric sparks is taking place, etc.. but none of these suggestions.

has been employed as the basis of a process on a commercial scale. Now I have ascertained as the result of experimental research that when these gases are mixed in the theoretically correct combining proportions and at a high temperature in the presence of sulfur vapor obtained by the distillation of sulfur or from another source, the reaction becomes complete or at least very approximately so, and takes place very quickly and with substantially no formation of thionic acids, the two gases, when intimately mingled with hot sulfur vapor, combining or mutually decomposing with great avidity and completeness.

My invention therefore consists broadly in facilitating the mutual decomposition of sul- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 10,1912. Serial No. 725,025.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

fureted hydrogen gas and sulfur dioxid gas and the collection of sulfur therefrom by brmgmg a mixture of these gases into contact with highly heated sulfur vapor.

In carrying my invention into effect Ipass sulfureted hydrogen gas and sulfur dioxid gas through a pipe or chamber in their proper combining proportions at any temperature between about 300 C. and 800 C., intermingled with a large proportion of sulfur vapor produced by the distillation of sulfur from any suitable source. I prefer to supply also a small amount of steam since I find that the presence of steam greatly facilitates the reaction. If the gases and sulfur vapor are passed through a'pipe even at a high rate of speed the react-ion becomes complete after a few feet of the pipe have been traversed by the gases; that is, only a few seconds are required for the completion of the'reaction. The percentage of sulfur vapor to be employed may vary from about 50% to 90% of thewhole of the sulfur (free and combined) in said gases.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. The herein described process of producing sulfur from hydrogen sulfid and sulfur dioxid. which comprises bringing together the sulfur dioxid and hydrogen sulfid in the.

presence of sulfur vapor, in amount equal to from 50 to 90%. and at a temperature of between 300 and 800 C.

2. The herein described process of producing sulfur from hydrogen sulfid and sulfur dioxid. which comprises bringing together the sulfur dioxid and hydrogen sulfid in the presence of sulfur vapor and steam, at a temperature of between 300 and 800 C., and n'iaintaining said temperature until the reaction between hydrogen sulfid and sulfur dioxid is substantially complete.

8. The herein described process of producing sulfur from hydrogen sulfid and sulfur dioxid, which comprises bringing together the sulfur dioxid and hydrogen sulfid in substantially the theoretical proportions in the presence of sulfur vapor in amount equal to from 30 to 90%, and steam at a temperature of between 300 and 800 C.

4. The herein described process of producing sulfur from hydrogen sulfid and sulfur dioxid, which comprises bringing together the sulfur clioxid and hydrogen sulfid in sub- In testimony whereof I have signed my stantially the theoretical proportions in the name to 1h" -w Mention in the nresence of presence of sulfur vapor and steam at a temtwo subscribing witnesses.

perature of between 300 and 800 (3., and WILLIAM AUGUSTUS HALL. 5 maintaining said temperature until the re- Witnesses:

action between hydrogen sulfid and sulfur HAROLD G. U. FAIRWEATHER,

dioxid is substantially complete. ALFRED T. BURBERY.- 

